This year has seemed to fly by for mostly everyone. Before you know it, we’ll be in the middle of winter and looking forward to summer again. That said, as we approach the end of the year, friends and families are coming together to enjoy seasonal activities together. After all, what better way to ring in the holidays than spending time with loved ones? So, if you’re looking for family-friendly activities near Washington DC, just keep reading.
This Winter’s Family-Friendly Activities Near Washington DC
If you’re looking for seasonal activities happening near DC, you’re in luck. There are plenty of activities and events for the whole family to enjoy. Here’s our list of the best activities near Washington DC for this season’s holiday fun.
- Annual Tree Lighting Festival
- Ice & Lights Winter Village
- Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights
- Fairfax City Holiday Market
- Holiday Craft Show in Fairfax
Annual Tree Lighting Festival
If you want to kick off the holiday season early, the Annual Tree Lighting Festival in Leesburg is a great activity for the whole family. On Saturday, November 19th, take your family to visit the Village at Leesburg and watch Santa arrive by horse-drawn carriage to light the WISH tree.
You and your family can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, cozy fire pits, fun lights, holiday characters, caroling, and more. Keep in mind that visitors are encouraged to bring a donation to help provide support and shelter to at-risk youth.
The Annual Tree Lighting Festival is free and takes place from 4 pm to 7 pm on Saturday, November 19th.
Ice & Lights: The Winter Village at Cameron Run
One of the largest seasonal activities near Washington DC is Ice & Lights at the Winter Village at Cameron Run. Ice & Lights is a fun outdoor family experience to visit unique light displays, skate at the outdoor ice rink, and take photos with various displays.
You can buy tickets for the Village now through January 1st online for $8 (+ fee) or at the door for $10. If you’re interested in ice skating at the Village, you can buy tickets online for $20 (+ fee) for one hour of skating.
The Winter Village is open nightly, including holidays, from 5 pm to 11 pm. The skating rink is open on weekends and holidays from 11 am to 5 pm, January 7 through February 26.
Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights
Another great way to get into the holiday spirit is the Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark’s Botanical Gardens. This year’s display has flowers, animals, illuminated trees, and holiday scenes to observe.
Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights is open from Friday, November 11 – Sunday, January 8, 2023, including all holidays in between. All proceeds from this event will support Meadowlark Botanical Gardens and 34 other NOVA Parks sites.
Tickets for this event are on sale now, and you can purchase them online for $16 (+ fee) or at the door for $20 until December 8. After December 8, you can purchase tickets online for $18 (+ fee), and tickets will no longer be available onsite.
Holiday Craft Show in Fairfax
If you’re looking for a unique and fun activity for your family of all ages, the Holiday Craft Show in Fairfax is a fun way to get together. The 36th Annual Holiday Craft Show is on November 19th from 10 am to 5 pm and November 20th from 10 am to 3 pm at Fairfax High School.
This year’s show will feature artists from all over the US and several local artists. If you’re looking to get your holiday shopping done early, the craft show has something for everyone on your list. Over 200 craft and food vendors will be there!
Admission for the Holiday Craft Show is $5 for one day or $8 for both days. Children under 18 get into the craft show for free.
Fairfax City Holiday Market
If you want to get your holiday shopping done locally, the Fairfax City Holiday Market is a great place to do so! They’re open the first two weekends of December in Old Town Square and feature local artists and craft vendors.
Vendors vary throughout the two weekends, allowing you to check out a variety of gift items. During this time, there’ll also be live music, dancing, and more to enjoy while shopping. The market also offers unique activities like a petting zoo, a firepit for s’mores, and festive photo ops.
Check out the Fairfax City Holiday Market December 2 – 4 and 9 – 11. Admission is free, and hours are on Friday from 5 pm to 8 pm, Saturday from 12 pm to 6 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm.
More Things to Do This Winter in Northern Virginia
Aside from the main events happening in the Northern Virginia area, there are tons of smaller activities going on nearly daily. If you’re looking for fun in between the main holiday events, there are several opportunities. Here are more fun things to do this winter season in Northern Virginia.
- Go Ice Skating
- Visit Holiday Lights
- Shop ‘Til You Drop
Go Ice Skating
You don’t have to look far to find winter activities in Northern Virginia. There are plenty of outdoor ice skating rinks to visit and enjoy in the area. A few of the most popular spots to hit include:
- Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating
- Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion
- Rockville Town Square Ice Skating
Visit Holiday Lights
Each year there are several light shows and holiday displays throughout Northern Virginia. Aside from the two major light displays we discussed earlier, there are tons of opportunities to see bright, twinkling holiday lights this season.
Don’t forget to check out Northern Virginia’s Bull Run Festival of Lights, where you can drive peacefully through 2.5 miles of holiday light displays.
Shop ‘Til You Drop
‘Tis the season to shop ‘til you drop! With access to Black Friday Deals, seasonal pop-up shops, and major shopping centers, there’s nothing better than crossing off every item on your holiday list.
Don’t forget to visit popular shopping destinations, like Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria, along with Mosaic, Reston Town Center, and Springfield Town Center.
Are You New to the Northern Virginia Area?
There are several great family-friendly activities near Washington DC for this season’s holiday fun. The holidays are a great time for people from all over the US to come together to spread cheer and make the season brighter. As such, if you live in Northern Virginia, make sure you check out these family-friendly holiday events this year.
If you’re new to the area and you’re looking for rental housing, look no further. Professional Property Management in Northern Virginia can help you find the best rentals to suit your needs. Conversely, if you’re looking for someone to manage your properties, PPM has you covered there, too. Contact PPM today if you’re looking for rental management services in Northern Virginia.
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